Thesaurus results for IMPASSE

impasse

noun

ˈim-ˌpas

Definition of impasse

as in halt

a point in a struggle where neither side is capable of winning or willing to give in in their bitter custody battle, the divorcing couple are at a total impasse

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as in predicament

a difficult, puzzling, or embarrassing situation from which there is no easy escape the impossible impasse faced by those who opposed the war but did not want to seem disloyal to the troops

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of impasse Trade negotiations between the United States and Mexico have reached an impasse after months of talks between officials about a deal to reduce duties on critical imports from beyond the southern border. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 Although the program has bipartisan support, Congress is at a major impasse over SNAP — in particular, the hundreds of millions of dollars possibly imposed on states with high payment error rates. — Juliana Kim, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026 Still, after months of often contentious dialogue with government officials, local producers are grateful that both sides have found a way through the impasse. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 But if a gap remains and an impasse ultimately is declared, the supervisors no longer would dictate the final offer. — Jon Regardie, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impasse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impasse

Noun

No bigger than a microwave oven, Idefix will plop onto Phobos by itself, bouncing for several minutes before coming to a halt in the moon's extraordinarily low gravity.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
The sharp decline earlier this year in software stocks ground dealmaking in the sector to a halt, as CEOs were reluctant to sell at the bottom and private-equity firms struggled to raise the debt.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of halt

Noun

News of the rescue has gotten hundreds of reactions on social media, with many noting the dog’s predicament was heartbreaking.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
Through one dangerous predicament after another, his stunt work reveals a performer who seems entirely comfortable in his own skin.

— Kristen Lopez, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of predicament

Noun

The result could be another fragile coalition; an unlikely unity government between Netanyahu and Eisenkot; or a prolonged deadlock that sends Israelis back to the polls.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
This meant that the negotiating parties had reached a deadlock beyond which further discussion would be futile.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of deadlock

Noun

His critics see a president who failed to tame inflation and keep America out of overseas conflicts, and whose agenda has fueled higher prices as the war with Iran appears to be at a stalemate.

— JOSH BOAK, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
In 2022, with front lines in a stalemate, Saudi Arabia and the Houthis signed a truce that largely held.

— Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of stalemate

Noun

In higher-dimensional gravity, certain black-hole-like objects, such as black strings, can become unstable and fragment.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Sabbatini played his final six holes in 6-under par, which included his 25-foot eagle putt from the fringe on the par-5 15th hole.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of hole

Browse Nearby Words

impassable

impasse

impasses

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Style

“Impasse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impasse. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of impasse

noun

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